Body found wrapped in plastic in Brighton Heights identified as missing person

A body found wrapped in plastic outside of a home in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood has been identified as Deric Bryan Davis, authorities said Wednesday.

Pittsburgh police said Davis, 53, of Brighton Heights, was last in contact with his family on Dec. 14. Police asked for the public’s help in searching for him on Monday.

Police had been following up on a tip in Davis’ missing persons case when they found his body about 8:15 a.m. Tuesday at a duplex on California Avenue.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Davis suffered a stab wound, but did not provide an exact cause of death. Pittsburgh police said they are investigating his death as a homicide. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday afternoon.

Public Safety spokesman Maurice Matthews said officers responding to the home noticed an object wrapped in plastic. They checked inside the plastic and discovered Davis’ body, which was outside next to the steps leading to a small front porch.

Police searched the home and detained a woman who was in the basement. Authorities did not say why she was detained, and it was not clear if she would be charged with a crime.

Police did not provide an update on the woman on Wednesday.

David Dembrowski, 66, has lived in the neighborhood for about 10 years. He said the incident surprised him.

He walks past the duplex daily to get his truck.

“It’s quiet,” Dembrowski said. “There’s nothing going on around here.”

Dembrowski said there are two children who play in the area, and it’s disturbing to think they may have been playing near where the body was found.

“The last time it snowed they were playing in the snow,” Dembrowski said of the children. “I have no clue if that body was still there or what.”